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Science News Archive December 2020 - Page 30


Page 30 of 39

Determining tectonic plate movement without fossil help

Researchers A.M. Celal Sengor and colleagues used geochemistry and structural geology to identify essential mountain-building processes in the Precambrian rock record. The Saharides' formation added 3-5 million km2 of material to the continents, providing a new method for reconstructing complex mountain formations.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2020

Split wave

A new approach to neuromorphic computing has been demonstrated using micrometer-sized wafers, enabling fast and energy-efficient pattern recognition. The HZDR team's component exploits spin waves to process information without moving electrons, promising applications in AI-powered smartphones and traffic optimization.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 7, 2020

A crystal ball for cold viruses

The VARIPath project aims to develop a 'crystal ball' for predicting disease progression in viral respiratory tract infections. Researchers will analyze virus evolution and host immune response characteristics using high-throughput sequencing techniques. This could lead to personalized treatment strategies and improved prognosis.

Genetics of human face begin to reveal underlying profile

An international team of researchers has connected specific genetic signals with specific areas of the face, identifying 203 genomic regions that play a role in human facial development. The study sheds light on craniofacial malformations such as cleft lip and palate, as well as evolutionary differences between various populations.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Genetics·DateDec 7, 2020

Undocumented immigrants far less likely to commit crimes in U.S. than citizens

A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison analyzed Texas arrest data and found that undocumented immigrants were significantly less likely to be arrested for various felony offenses compared to U.S. citizens. The researchers believe that first-generation immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, tend to have lower crime...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2020

When playing favorites can hurt growth

A study by MIT researchers suggests that industrial parks in China with strong political connections underperform their counterparts, leading to a 5.2% decrease in GDP per capita. The research found that about a quarter of provincial-level party secretaries have ties to city-level party secretaries, influencing economic decisions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Urban Economics·DateDec 7, 2020

Useful 'fake' peptides

Scientists create peptide-oligourea hybrids that mimic natural peptide structures, enhancing drug efficiency and stability. The hybrids exhibit high binding affinities and resist proteolytic degradation.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 7, 2020